NARRATOR: On Monday, October 18th, the first White House Science Fair was held in the State Dining Room to showcase the winners of a broad range of science, technology and math competitions, including a solar car model shown to the president by Mikayla Nelson of Billings, MT.

MIKAYLA NELSON: (Off mic) – It’s made out of carbon fiber laminate, which is basically – it’s two carbon fiber sheets that are 90 degrees to each other.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Well, we’re going to have to have you work for one of the auto companies so to get them to design the next generation of cars, huh? This is a good start.

MS. NELSON: That would be nice. (Thanks ?).

NARRATOR: After seeing other exhibits of motorized wheelchairs, water purification systems and a soccer-playing robot –

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, let’s just, like, point it this way – (laughter) – and see what happens.

NARRATOR: – the president made remarks about the importance of science and innovation to our economy and our future.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: We welcome championship sports teams to the White House to celebrate their victories. I’ve had the Lakers here. I’ve had the Saints here. I thought we ought to do the same thing for the winners of science fairs.

You know, when you win first place at a science fair, nobody’s rushing the field or dumping Gatorade over your head – (laughter) – but in many ways our future depends on what happens in those contests.